Anyone else here have roundwounds on their fretless

Bought an Ibanez SR400 Fretless about 4 years ago, brand new, and it came stock with a set of roundwounds. I've played it with roundwounds ever since. (The very first day I had it, after playing it for a couple minutes, you could see faintly the windings in the fretboard. Other than that, I've played it, and the fretboard is perfectly alright) I'm thinking of trying a set of rounds or tapes just to see what sound they'll give me.

Using them for 15 years. The ebony board on my old yama bb1200 seems pretty hard, I've only had it resurfaced once. Probably needs it again, but I'm going to wait until I put it in the shop to get the neck thinned a bit.

Originally posted by fretless5 I have always used roundwounds on every fretless I have owned. Last time I switched out on my 5 I went from Ken Smiths to Elixers.

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What's your opinion between the Smiths and Elixers??

I use roundwounds on my fretless basses as well although I do stick with nickel. The nickels seem to create a good sound with just enough brightness and overtones. I use steel roundwounds on my fretted basses, but then again I'm going for a different sound and feel with them.

Originally posted by Intrepid I wonder how hard maple would handle under roundwounds? Have you ever seen a maple fretless...would be very interesting

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Maple is harder then rosewood and I've seen quite a few fretless rosewood basses. I think the main drop back on maple is the color. If you get past the protective coating -- which is very likely on a fretless -- the wood starts to gunk up and discolor pretty quickly.

I have seen a couple fretless maple p-basses on ebay before, but I don't have any personal experience with them.

You know guys, IMO DR strings are a longer lasting alternative to Rotosound. Try the Lo-Riders stainless. Strong bottom, awesome highs. Very much like Swingbass 66 but longer lasting and they don't have that irritating red silk on them.

I'll give them or the hi beams a try. I converted to chrome rounds (D'A XLs) about 9 years ago and have been very happy with them. However, I just got another fretless that will be handling the more "mellow" end of things, so ss rounds is something I'll be looking at for my old bass.

BTW, is it just me, or do we have 3 threads that are kind of intertwined?

I have a Fender P bass with a maple fretless neck and always have used roundwounds. Gives a great sound and a good 'buzz' sound. After 5 years the strings wore completely though the clear finish on the neck. I had the neck refinished in 'Imron' clear coat. My luthier who works on my basses says the 'Imron' clear coat is tough as nails and after 2 years I still don't see any wear on the neck.

I keep trying to stick with TI Jazz Flats on my fretless, but, rounds have the sound I want. That's just the way it is.

Right now I have TI Powerbasses on it, but they're so expensive...I could justify it for the flats because they last many, many months.

Some strings wear the fingerboard out more than others. Roto's are the worst I ever tried. Tore the heck out of it really quick. Hi Beams didn't cause much wear, but they sound thin to me. Low Riders, I loved them.That's what I'll use when the TI's wear out.

Originally posted by DeepThought I keep trying to stick with TI Jazz Flats on my fretless, but, rounds have the sound I want. That's just the way it is.

Right now I have TI Powerbasses on it, but they're so expensive...I could justify it for the flats because they last many, many months.

Some strings wear the fingerboard out more than others. Roto's are the worst I ever tried. Tore the heck out of it really quick. Hi Beams didn't cause much wear, but they sound thin to me. Low Riders, I loved them.That's what I'll use when the TI's wear out.

Anybody use the nickel Low Riders? Or, Sunbeams?

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I use both. The Sunbeams sound amazing on my Elrick. The bass may have something to do with that